The 64th annual Ripon Almond Blossom Festival kicks off Thursday.

It includes the start of the four-day run of the carnival at Mistlin Sports Park on River Road with the “$2 ride night” from 5 to 10 p.m. The carnival runs through Sunday.

The main event is the crowning of the 2026 Almond Blossom queen at 7 p.m. in the small hall of the Ripon Community Center on Fifth Street.

The large hall at the community center is where the annual Ripon Lion’s spaghetti feed takes place from 4:30 to 7 p.m.

The festival vendor booths at Mistlin Sports Park are open from 2 to 8 p.m. on Friday with carnival hours from 4 to 10 p.m.

On Saturday, vendor hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. while the carnival is 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Festival booths are open Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with carnival hours 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Almond Blossom parade is at 1 p.m. in downtown Ripon.

Other festival events can be found in the Almond Blossom Festival section inside today’s Bulletin.